Friday, June 13, 2008

It's Monday! Managed to stay up and packed the luggage on the previous night.. Hubby is too tired and so I helped to get all the stuff ready... We had breakfast at a nearby coffee shop and I had Mee Tai Mak. Hubby ordered Zhu Chang Fen (in curry gravy) with Yong Tou Fu.. something really special that we don't see in Singapore.We set off in a cab (all 6 of us) to Corus Hotel. (5 mins walk from Petronas Twin Tower). As we are still early from the check-in time, hubby and brother went to put our luggage at the lobby while we waited for them at KLCC. After meeting up, we went to shop around for a while and I bought myself some accessories too.. Had KFC for lunch too..

We finally headed back to the hotel and check-in at around 3.. had a short nap and rest before going out again. As it was still early, we shopped around at a new mall - Pavilion. It just started to rain when we reached... As someone mentioned, it is a "hi-class" mall and hence its nice to see but nothing much that is of our interest. :p .. Dinner was recommended to be at Starhill - Japanese food.. (my favourite).. and because of that, I was rather touched by the event to follow.

1st- I believe Brother and Hj went out in the heavy rain to check out our dinner area.. I saw their wet brolly and brother's shirt was half drenched..

2nd- I mentioned I love to have Japanese food because in SG it's rather expensive and I thought it would be nice to have a cheaper meal in Msia.. but I did not expect the dinner to come would be so expensive (RM88++ per adult). Brother actually treated us and I felt kinda bad..

I know brother don't mind paying just to make sure everyone is happy.. still I can't help feeling guilty and the pinch for him. sniff..

The high price is really due to the quality of the food.. I think we all ate our full and I had so many rounds of food.. from Sashimi, hand rolls, soft shell crab, sushi, oyster to soup, grilled food, pastries, ice-cream..... it's really Yummy...

After a very long, heavy dinner, we had a little walk around Starhill.. as Hj mentioned, it is a place with lots of 'hi-class' shops and resturant... there is a band and lounge area. with many resturants downstairs....and it's so near Marriot hotel.. really cool.. As time was rather late to walk to the mall, we took a cab back to the hotel and rest with a heavy stomach..

** 10th June **

Tuesday.. My final day in KL before heading back home tomorrow.. My mood starting to get dull... not really looking forward to leaving.. *sob*. Anyway, the purpose of hubby booking Corus hotel is because it's the nearest hotel to Petronas Twin Tower.. and hubby and brother went to queue for the free tickets entry to the Skybridge at 630am. They waited for 2 hours!! and we managed to choose the 1030am viewing slot. We have ample of time to get the kids ready and had breakfast at the hotel.

I managed to take some photos of the kids along the corridor as they were playing.. Love these photo very much because of the light and feel it gives me... most importantly, they looked really happy..

We had another short queue while waiting to enter the skybridge.. was taken to watch a 7mins short 3D effect video which nearly makes me sleep.. heheheh.. :p but the kids look great in the big glasses.. ;)

Finally took the lift up to the skybridge on the 41st storey. We were given about 10mins to walk on the bridge and take photos.. Hubby was commenting to queue for 2 hours in return for a 10 mins view is really tiring. There will not be a next time for him for sure. :p. Still, the view from the top always look spectacular.. Since it took such great effort to come, photos are a must! I don't think I will be coming up here in the near future too..

This is the only group photo we have for this trip.. so I like this alot too... too bad Gladys started to get cranky and we couldn't get the best shot...

Next stop - Times Square... I wonder if it's because its a weekday afternoon.. the mall looks older and less crowded.. really feel very different from the first time I visited a couple of years ago. Denver spent quite a lot of time at the arcade and this time round, we did not went in to the Cosmos World.. Denver has been cranky and keep bugging us for a toy since day 1... well, I guess we have to settle for one today before we leave... Brother and Hj was really kind and patient to take us to another mall and we finally manage to get a robot.

Our final spot for this trip is Chinatown (Petaling street). We had dinner at a hawker stall tasting the famous spicy stingray, lala, squid etc...Popped by Central Market and make our last minute shopping. There are a lot of souveniers with arts, handicrafts, batik, traditional wear etc. Most importantly, it's air-conditioned. :) We also visited gift shops, had another round of Satay and packet Chendol back as supper. Night starts to fall.. and it's final packing! Going back home early the next day.. sucks.. :(

** 11th June **

Today's the day! Happy and Good time always past so fast... had breakfast together with Brother and Hj and we proceed to take our luggage down ready to check out.. We are taking the early bus (10am) - Aeroline back.

We had a walk by the pool side while waiting for the bus. Denver did not get to play with water on this trip.. so he can only dip his feet in the water.. Maybe next time ..

Ah well.. time to go.. Great sadness came when I wave Brother and Hj goodbye.. (They will be staying till Monday).. Although every trip is really tiring.. I really enjoyed it.. it is not being measured by the amount of things we bought..but rather the company we are with... Had lots of good food, went to nice places and the children had a good time. I really appreciate Brother and Hj spending time aside to keep us company and helping to look after the kids. I know they are tired out too and I'm really grateful. As I sat on the bus on my way back, I had memories of my childhood again. The "Mi-er" tune came to my mind as I hum to Gladys. Those days, although I do not have the freedom to roam about but I have great, happy times when I was young.. all thanks to my brother. I wish Denver and Gladys could be good siblings who will love and care for each other as they grow.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Finally got a chance to go on a vacation on our own with my brother and his girlfriend, Huijie. I was looking very forward to the 5 days, 5 nights trip (6th June - 11th June). As we were taking the 630pm bus, I was still busy working on that Friday. There were a lot of issues at work and I was troubled... still the holiday mood helps to cheer me up.

I stopped work at 4pm and set off to take the kids. We parked our car at my bil's place and took MRT and taxi to Golden Mile Complex. We were there before 6pm and decided to have a taste of Thai dessert.. Bad choice. The desserts were too sweet and nearly make me puke.. :S We waited at the lounge area in Transtar office.. they were renovating and the smell of paint was really strong.. *puke* Still, it was very comfortable and Denver gets to drink his Milo. :) Brother and Hj finally reached and the kids are so happy to see them.

Yeah!! Time to go!! The bus is really neat! Its my first time sitting on a First Class coach.. really feel like I'm on a plane. There is a personal LCD screen for you to choose the Games and Movies you like to watch, WiFi and power socket for your laptop, Message chair and a coach attendent for your F&B needs. There is a dinner inclusive and we can order hot drinks as well.. Cool!

After we crossed the checkpoint, we are all set for Dinner and Movie :) The down side is it's hard to 'contain' Gladys on the bus..especially when the meal is served.. She "Mum Mum" all the time and you can't stop her hands from grabbing stuff.. messy... I had a hard time watching the show too.. Finally got some peace as soon as she falls asleep.. :D Managed to watch parts of Ratatouille and 881. Did not managed to complete 881 though.. but that's ok. We reached KL around midnight.. Got off the bus first and Hj's father and brother were already waiting at the petrol station ready to take us to their home for the next 3 nights stay.

** 7th June 2008**

It was a really nice place.. 2 storey house and brother showed us the way up to Hj's room on the 2nd floor. It was a big room with a toilet within. There is a ceiling fan and mattresses and pillow all ready. We put down our luggages and put the kids to bed.. It has been a long night and I guess the excitement has made them wide awake! They were finally asleep before 2am... I woke up before 7am and took a photo of the view from the window.. it was quiet and the air is fresh.. I only realised that Brother and Hj must have gave up the bigger room for us.. they stayed at a smaller room downstair.. Kinda feel bad that they have to squeeze.. :( Thanks brother.

We had breakfast at a nearby coffeeshop and our first stop is Sunway Pyramid! Hj borrowed her brother's car to take us around for the next few days.. Barry gets to drive around while Hj gave direction.. It's a shame that Denver had a bad injury on his head and we have to skip Sunway Lagoon.. Ah well.. maybe next time.. Although they can't play with the water, they get to see toys, had fun with the playground, had nice food and Denver took a picture with Batman.

Next stop, Mines Wonderland. Did not really step in to the theme park though cos it doesn't seem that urmm 'fun'. Denver wanted the boat ride though.. so we took him on a cruise instead. :) He also had rides and I guess the children should be the happiest lots. We had a nice dinner at "Gui Lin" resturant at the old airport area.. quite rural and we really drove quite a distance out.. had Chilli crab, Dong fen, La la, vegetables, Cereal prawn and a special Fried noodle. Hj says its equivalent to Singapore "Fried prawn noodle".. but the dark noodle and taste its very different. It was a looong day and we finally drove back to rest. Reached before 10pm.. had a nice bath and went to bed... the kids manage to sleep before midnight.. phew..

** 8th June 2008 **

It's Sunday and its Duan Wu Jie (Dumpling Festival)! This year, I don't feel the mood though.. maybe it's because I in KL?? Or was it because I did not have any traditional dumpling yet? Anyway, we had Roti Prata for breakfast! I had Onion Egg Prata and Teh Tarik.. Cheap cheap and Nice nice!

We headed for Titiwangsa Lake Garden. In Singapore, there is Singapore Flyer.. In KL, there is "Eye on Malaysia" - 60 metre tall portable Ferris wheel. We all took a ride and had a good eye's view of KL and Genting. There was a food fair there too and we had a couple of 'snacks' and drinks along the way.. Tried the Keropok, Chendol, Fries, Otah, Tea... and bought a urmm a snack where Maggie mee is fried and covered with 'prata-like' skin..(wonder what's that call)..

There is also a horse ranch nearby but we missed the opening hours for the horse rides.. Denver was kinda disappointed and wanted to ride on a horse.. So we decided to shop at a nearby mall first. The kids had fun at the arcade and we had a light lunch at Oldtown coffeeshop. I like the Ipoh Hor Fun.. the food is not too expensive too.

We went back to the horse ranch around 4 plus. ... after getting the tickets, Denver queued for the horse ride.. he was so excited.. :) Denver get to ride on the horse for 2 rounds (apparently its a ticket for each round) and we went to queue up for the horse carriage ride shortly. Denver gets to sit at the front and the uncle was nice enough to let him hold the horse strap to guide the horse. He had fun.. Gladys was sleepy all the way and I think she doesn't know what's going on.. I had to wake her up so she is awaken while we ride on the carriage...

We were all tired and dirty... time to go back for a bath and we can get ready for dinner! We decided to give Hj's parents a treat to thank them for being so nice and letting us feel warm at home. After dinner, we shop around at Summit shopping mall and manage to get Gladys a pair of shoe. We also bought Denver some stickers too.. Time is getting late and we headed back to pack our luggage as tomorrow we will be leaving to stay at Corus hotel for the next 2 nights..